Engine change suitability

Kilroy · Post by **Kilroy** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 6:36 am

Hiya folks.

I'm not posting as often here lately - but I'm keeping abreast of the subject matter.
My question is this.
If one were going to fit an engine of alternative make - what would be the most sensible choice.
I realise thats an oxymoron - as the 'sensible' choice is to leave the original unit alone - but in order to get more horsepower without having a very highly strung powerplant - one would usually look for more cubes.
I can turn a 1700 O series into a 2 litre with parts in hand - but in order to go bigger, I have considered various options.
The CF Bedford 2.3 litre motors are commonly available here due to many Cf's going the V8 route.
Big heavy motor though.
I would think that a V6 would be smarter than a V8 - purely due to weight distribution and engine bay space.
There are lots of Holden V6's in use over here - including a supercharged version - no doubt one could get a wreck which would provide all the engine management systems etc - I currently favour this option - however - I have always found that the sheer TORQUE provided by the B series engine - especially in my favourite 1905cc configuration - is very addictive, and hard to beat - if only for the first 50 yards..!
Any thoughts..?
Be aware that the range of 2 litre motors you are able to source easily in the UK are not in ready supply here - and I would rather have an engine with lots of torque at lower revs, than a multi-valve device that favours high revs.
I would also be predisposed towards engines that could be easily mated to the existing powertrain.
Cheers.

Post by **MarinaCoupe** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 6:26 pm

The same question has been going through my mind for some time.

Light, powerful and relatively low revving seems to be the way to go. The GM/Opel/Buick/Holden aluminium inline V6 would seem ideal. The European Omega/Aussie Commodore comes with manual and auto inline gearboxes.

You'd need to create a fuel injection loom, unless an early carb'd version was available.

dandaz · Post by **dandaz** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 6:32 pm

My 1.8 has too much power it scares me , but I am used to driving a 1600 vw camper for the last six years....

My old man used to say "you can get any engine to fit any car with modification"

ClaytonSpeed · Post by **ClaytonSpeed** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 6:38 pm

Ford Zetec mate. Just brought a crate engine from ford for Ã‚Â£600.. All I need is a type 9 box from a capri/sierra and bingo. Well on not "all" but you get the point!

Light, powerful, economical and easy to fit under the bonnet without hacking about for a V engine...

Kilroy · Post by **Kilroy** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:58 am

One of the reasons I ask - is that I happen to have a Mazda 3 litre alloy V6 thingie - japanese import called a 'Luce' or generically, a 929.
It is quite impressive from a mechanical point of view - 3 valves per, roller followers - fly-by-wire management system that would - I feel - benefit from being carburetted and de-wired.
The V6 is wonderfully short - being only 3.5 cylinders long (offset conrods), and thus a suitable case for treatment.
Torque is not too bad - but power delivery is totally spoiled by the controls.
This thing measures barometric pressure in 4 different countries before accelerating.
I'm sure it weighs at least a ton - so bunging it in a Marina would be very liberating for it.
That is however, the easy part of the equation.
Such a transplant is sure to require much mechanical manoeuvring - in the bellhousing and engine mount departments - so I will need to do a great deal of homework before embarking on this path.
3 litres does sound like a nice engine size however - and the possibility of not having to move firewall etc makes me confident that I can manage the engineering side of things.
At this stage its just idle thinking - but I can't help but wonder - if my 2 litre unit performs this well..

.. how might a 3 litre go..?

Al Williams · Post by **Al Williams** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 6:12 pm

My gut instinct is to avoid the 2.3 slant four. Brilliant engine in it's day but the CF will be the low compression engine, and all variants are thirsty!

I have no experience with Japenese engine's but am looking at a 1.8 turbo Silvia for one of my Dolomite's....

I suspect Jap engines are ten a penny down your way...

Mazda 929 V6? How much does it weigh? And will you need to alter the suspension dramatically to make it handle?

I have to ask as I am new to Marina's and there allegedly suspect handling.

Kilroy · Post by **Kilroy** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:55 am

Al

Don't know what it weighs - its still performing in its original envelope..

Not sure if the block is alloy or just the heads. Either way, its probably lighter than a CF..!
I do have a piston mod for the CF using Chev 307 pistons - takes it to about 2.4 with selectable compression depending on how much you take off the crown.
The major problem I see is the sheer weight of the thing.
I know Jap 4 cylinders motors make sense - I just prefer longer strokers with lotsa torque.
Wonder if it would be possible to hang carbs and a conventional distributor on the Mazda unit - prefer to avoid all the complexity - also prefer to have an engine that accelerates when I tell it to...

Food for thought anyway.

The front suspension is fairly loosely attached to the car IMO - which does lead to vaguaries in the steering dept. Lowering, adding ARB's and messing with shocks yields quite a lot of improvement - but any project involving serious horsepower or potentially high top speeds would make me want to fit something beefier. Presumably, a donor vehicle that could provide front and rear suspension would be a good idea.

One day...

Chiz.

Post by **MarinaCoupe** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:39 pm

I have been checking up on the Mazda V6 - apparently it was launched in 1986 as the JE range. I don't know what year yours is, but it maybe the early ones were carbed so may yield a suitable inlet manifold.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_J_engine

www.fastmarinamagazine.com

Engine change suitability

Engine change suitability

^